INDIA AND PAKISTAN

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XLIX, Issue 9591, 22 August 1949, Page 2

INDIA AND PAKISTAN

INDEPENDENCE AS NATION FAITH OF LEADERS j CONFIDENCE IN THE. FUTURE India has- celebrated the second anniversary of her independence by a day of “tree planting, ploughing waste land and the inauguration q£ vegetable gardens, aimed at making India self-supporting in food by 1951.’’ This is something new in the way of celebration of v national events, especially to Western countries, which customarily express national rejoicing by high holiday. It India continues to face her economic problems with this spirit of realism and personal service she will hasten her recovery from an economic weakness which often verges upon famine conditions. The Indian people as a whole are exceptionally responsive to the leadership of the Prime Minister, Mr Nehru, who appealed for a day of work in celebration of the anniversary. He promised that the third anniversary of independence would mark the end of the transition perr iod and herald the birth of the Indian Republic “for which many of us have laboured throughout our lives.” Such personal concern for the national welfare as was displayed by the people gave promise of a better future for India. Pakistan leaders on the same day expressed a sturdy faith in the future of the country. The Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, declared that Pakistan’s armed forces had been strengthened 100 per cent, during the year. He was cheered on announcing the resumption of full diplomatic relations with the Soviet. Both India and Pakistan still face serious internal troubles, economic and political, but the worst fear, that they would fall into economic chaos and become a prey to Communism, seems to have receded. India could and should be a strong rampart against Communist expansion and interference.

ed their independence their immediate future looked dark indeed. Disaster did in fact follow quickly, but the country has survived the two most dangerous year, and to-day there is stronger hope than ever before of the building of prosperous and peaceful nations. The greatest menace lies in the attempts to foist a foreign ideology on the people before they have a chance to establish their own independent States in, association with the British Commonwealth. In India and Pakistan perhaps more than in any other country leadership will probably decide the issue.

Some may see danger in Pakistan’s acceptance of full diplomatic relations with the Soviet. But this is not necessarily a sign of danger. Many other countries maintain relations with Russia, which in fact should be done so long as each respects the internal affairs of the other. India and Pakistan are beginning the long climb to full nationhood, and their associates in the British Commonwealth will wish them well and give such assistance as can be given.